Diego López made an inspired debut in goal for Milan, helping them beat Lazio 3-1 in Filippo Inzaghi’s first competitive game as coach. The former Real Madrid player made a series of late saves, including a stoppage-time penalty by Antonio Candreva.

Inzaghi, who became Milan’s coach after Massimiliano Allegri and Clarence Seedorf were both fired last season, watched Milan raced into a 3-0 lead in little more than an hour with goals from Keisuke Honda, Sulley Muntari and a Jérémy Ménez penalty.

But Lazio, who had more chances during the game, came back strongly and Alex, also making his debut for Milan after a move from Paris St Germain, put through his own goal.

Milan completed the signing of Fernando Torres on a two-year loan from Chelsea shortly before kick-off but their finishing was efficient enough without him.

In front of a disappointing San Siro crowd Milan took the lead when Stephan El Shaarawy burst forward and found Honda who scored unmarked at the far post in the seventh minute.

The Ghana midfielder Muntari was left completely unmarked as he turned in Ignazio Abate’s cross from close range in the 56th minute and eight minutes later Ménez converted a penalty after he had been fouled.

But Lazio, also playing their first competitive game under a new coach, Stefano Poli, came back into the game when Alex turned Candreva’s cross beyond López three minutes later.

Stefano Mauri then clipped the crossbar as Lazio continued to press and López had to make a superb close-range save to deny Candreva before saving the same player’s weak penalty.